THE
senior issue
Massapequa High School mhsthechief@gmail.com
The
Chief
Vol. 62 – No. 5
June 9, 2014 www.thechiefonline.com
Massapequa High School’s Chief Source of News
Congratulations to Joe Fiola and Brian O’Sullivan Valedictorian Joe Fiola BY KATIE CRESSER COPY EDITOR
To those who know senior Joseph Fiola well, it came as little surprise when he was named valedictorian of Massapequa High School’s Class of 2014. Around the school, Joe was known for his academics as well as his humble attitude and involvement in extracurricular activities. He performed at Carnegie Hall with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, was an editor for The Chief, and shot for the Mass-
apequa rifle team at the state level. For younger students aspiring to achieve similar accolades, Joe says always do your best. “Always work hard and never try to take the easy way out. Developing a sense of discipline and determination will help you not only in high school, but in all aspects of your life.” Joe will look back fondly on several moments from the past four years, including junior prom, Mr. Massapequa, the State Rifle Championship, and watching the Chiefs play football. “I’m grateful for the all the friends and opportuni-
ties that MHS has given me.” Joe said. “ I am thankful to my friends and teachers who have enhanced my time at MHS.” In the fall, Joe will be attending Stony Brook University and majoring in Biomedical Engineering through the Scholars Program. He plans to attend medical school and become a surgeon.
Salutatorian Brian O’Sullivan BY MEGHANA RAO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
After taking the most rigorous and academically challenging courses that Massapequa High School had to
offer, senior Brian O’Sullivan has been named the salutatorian of the Class of 2014. Even with this impressive distinction, he is never one to boast about his accomplishments. “I’m really no different from any other student,” Brian humbly said. In addition to working hard to maintain his stellar grade point average, Brian took part in many extracurricular activities. He ran cross country and winter and spring track for the school team. Additionally, he served as treasurer for the MHS Robotics team and maintained an internship throughout his senior year at
Northrop Grumman. Brian will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in the fall and plans on studying computer science alongside economics. “I liked the campus and the school’s facilities,” the salutatorian said. “But what mainly drew me to RPI was the quality of the education I would receive and its outstanding reputation with potential employers.” Although he is not entirely sure of his ultimate career goal, Brian is currently interested in working as a qualitative analyst.
Class of 2014 says a final goodbye to Coach K and Jake Brice
— Meghana Rao, Editor-in-Chief
PROVIDED BY ISLAND PHOTO
JENNIFER LANDER // THE CHIEF
Coach K: a gentleman, a hero, and a friend of the MHS community. His wonderful spirit and cheerful attitude will always remain with us as we begin the next chapter of our lives.
As the students of the Class of 2014 prepare to move on with the rest of their lives, and leave high school behind, those who knew Jake will still keep something with them. He will graduate alongside us as the remarkable person that he was and still is. — Matt Colozzo, Copy Editor
DEAR SENIORS
JUN 9, 2014
THE CHIEF
Fellow seniors,
This is my final article for The Chief and perhaps the hardest one for me to write. I find the opportunity to share some of the lessons I have learned over these past four years both a daunting and enlightening task. When I look back, I can’t say that there were definitive moments in my high school career that ultimately transformed me, but rather daily experiences and observations both inside and outside of the classroom that have given me a new perspective. In the ninth grade, I traveled to India with my family. On the plane ride home, I took a look at the map documenting our travel. Midway between Chennai, a town in South India, and New York, the thought suddenly occurred to me that perhaps that exact location was my emotional home — neither here nor there. I’ve always embraced my hyphenated identity as an “Indian-American.” Even though I’ve always been fiercely proud of my heritage, I have also been confused over which part of my hyphenated identity I should embrace fully. The Chief became an outlet to explore my confusion as I wrote various opinion and social commentary articles, especially my article about race as a social construct. Initially, I felt relieved to know that my confusion over identifying with two different races was based on an idea that was socially created. I suppose I did not realize how big a role race played in my life, because I soon started to feel like a huge chunk of my identity was missing. As I began to search for that missing defining factor, I soon realized that there was never a “missing piece” of my identity — I simply didn’t feel comfortable in my own skin. Through high school, I’ve learned that having the ability to look inward for inspiration and focus is perhaps the most beneficial tool we have in achieving our aspirations. I was intent on finding a comfortable definition of myself. So, I decided to immerse myself in the areas I felt most passionate about and relinquish the parts of my life that made me feel unhappy. Just as we have the ability to change our thesis statement once we get to the middle of writing a research paper, we also have the ability to change our attitude and goals to fit our current state of mind. As we enter college next year, we’ll be experiencing many changes, and the education we are about to receive will be different from anything we have ever experienced in both academics and self-knowledge. Discovering who we are will be as important as discovering a passion for new subjects of study. We will be majoring in ourselves as much as in English or engineering or art history. It’s important for us to accept and embrace these changes in ourselves that a new environment is sure to bring and to extend the same open-mindedness to ourselves that we extend to others. Sure, it’ll be sad to leave behind the community that has helped to shape us for the past eighteen years, but despite these numerous sad endings we have plenty of happy new beginnings in our future to anticipate.
Best of luck in your future endeavors. Meghana Rao
Dear Class of 2014,
When you graduate, people often admonish you not to “forget where you came from.” But in my experience, people rarely forget where they come from. Most people grow up with values and morals similar to those of their parents and hometown friends and do not stray far from them, even after going to university. Therefore, I pose to you a challenge to the contrary—forget where you come from. As teachers or others may have told you over the years, Massapequa is a bubble, and one of the greatest privileges of college is the opportunity to burst it open. The most important advice I can give you is to challenge yourself and keep an open mind in both your social and academic lives. Pursue diverse areas of study with the goal of finding an intellectual passion, and, more importantly, pursue friendships with people of various backgrounds and perspectives, so that your own ideas may expand beyond the provincial. Also, if you immerse yourself in your college community, you need not worry about making fulfilling friendships. On the first day of orientation, everyone is apprehensive about finding friends. Just remember that closeness develops over time, and you do not need to meet your best friend on the first day, or even in the first month of school. I met mine on the first day, and I did not feel as close to her as I have long felt to certain friends from home until halfway through spring semester. On the other hand, if you are worried about preserving high school relationships, I must lend this insecurity some degree of credence. If you follow my advice, you will change, and my personal character development has impacted a couple of my high school friendships in ways I never anticipated. Our relationships are based on how we relate to others, and as you and your friends change, the way you relate to each other may as well. That said, the majority of your friendships with hometown friends will not suffer much, even if you change. I still enjoy good relationships with most of my high school friends, and seeing each other less often has hardly affected our bonds. You may be surprised to find that the best friendships can be resumed after several months of distance with nothing but a couple conversations in between. Furthermore, even the friendships that come under pressure can be salvaged with goodwill—you just have to try much harder to make them work than you might expect. Of course, when I advise you to forget Massapequa, I intend to be hyperbolic. I do not suggest that you write off friends or family from home. Even as I plunged into my university community, I stayed in touch with old friends and family, and I have always valued those relationships. But as you leave your high school days behind, focus first and foremost on the myriad opportunities, both social and academic, that lie ahead of you. Be bold. When you encounter an opportunity to explore the unknown, do not worry about adhering to a set way of doing things; embrace change wholeheartedly, and you will learn to balance your collegiate influences with those of your hometown later on.
Wishing you courage, Joe
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SENIOR DIRECTORY
JUN 9, 2014
M arist College
New York “The Empire State”
A delphi University • Marissa Carozza — Accounting • Kristen Costello — Writing • Emily Fanara — Nursing • Breanna Garry — Nursing • Christine Gianotti — Speech Pathology & Audiology • Nicole Glaser — Business • Patrick Sheehan — Criminal Justice • Mariagrazia Valenti — Psychology
Binghamton University • Amanda Graziano — Undecided • Becca Grzybowski — Biochemistry • Katie Hatziyianis — Undeclared • Danielle Kertyzak — Psychology
Canisius College • Taylor Kugler — Business
College of Mt. St. Vincent • Olivia O’Neill — Nursing
Columbia University • Timothy Diovanni — Music & Political Science
Cornell University • Mike Flavoni — Electrical Engineering • Emma Frawley — Human Bio., Health and Society • Tara Tardino — Human Development
Dowling College • Raymond Garvey — Sports Management
Fashion Institute of Tech. • Lauren Daniels — Fashion Design • Gabrielle Lequerique — Graphic Design
Hofstra University • Philip Calleia — Undecided • Tom Morse — Finance • Christie Murphy — Undeclared • Nick Nappi — Political Science • Kristina Scotto — Video/Television Business • Gabriela Tarantino — Business and Financing • Nick Valenti — Exercise Science
Iona College • Kara McKenna — Accounting • Kate Niewiarowicz — Elementary Education
Ithaca College • Erin Kohler — Music Performance/Education
LIU Brooklyn • Anthony Carnevale — Nursing
M acaulay Honors College • Christie Flanders — Undecided • Ryan Schulte — Creative Writing
• Anthony Finocchiaro — Biology • Stefanie Gaudio — Psychology • Joseph Kopp — Biology/Pre-Med • Jennifer Raffaele — Undecided • Joseph Tasch — History
Mercy College • Meghan Kaufman — Exercise Science • Alyssa Iannuzzi — Undecided
Molloy College • Kaitlin Batik — English/Childhood Special Ed. • Nicholas DiGuiseppi — Accounting & Mathematics • Andrew Sivert — Political Science
Mt. St. M ary College • Danielle Ciullo — Nursing • Jennifer Hagenberg — Physician Assistant Studies • Danielle Rodier — Nursing • Carol Shortell — Pre-Med
Nassau Community College • Michael Aponte — Accounting • Daniel Creaven — Undecided • Christina Di Norcia — Nutrition • Amanda Nina — Radiologic Technology
New York University • Hannah Bayer — Undecided • Alexa Goldman — Mathematics
Queens College • Erica Tizzano — Elementary Education
R ensselaer Polytechnic • Natalie Goklevent — Architecture
Rochester Institute of Tech. • Kristina Carucci — Motion Picture Science • Michelle Geyer — ASL & English Interpretation • Kristina Giordano — ASL & English Interpretation • Brian O’Sullivan — Computer Science • Dan Verrico — Chemical Engineering • Ben Woodworth — Software Engineering
School of Visual A rts • Marissa Whitfield — Photography
Siena College • Devon Geelan — Marketing
St. Bonaventure University • Jon Walsh — Biology
St. John’s University • Kristin Finocchio — Pharmacy • Joseph Imbriano-Stissi — Computer Science • Paraskevas Xenophontos — Communication Arts
St. Joseph’s College • Danielle Myles — Secondary Education in English
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Stony Brook University • Kristen Bohan — Biology • Dan Coyne — Biochemistry • Joe Fiola — Biomedical Engineering • Francisco Giorgio — Chemistry • Riley Lestingi — Nursing • Cassidy O’Brien — Engineering • Gina Sanchez — Biomed. Engineering and Psychology • Morgan Serra — Biology and Pre-Med
SUNY A lbany • Chris Boyle — Undecided • Mike DiBenedetto — Criminal Justice and Psychology • Bobby Marose — Law • Daniel Vitiello — Undecided
SUNY Buffalo • Nicole Billelo — Occupational Therapy • Brandon Buesching — Chemical Engineering • Peter Scorcia — Finance
SUNY Cobleskill • Emily Giordano — Wildlife Management
SUNY Cortland • Megan Batt — Professional Writing • Michelle Fincken — Undecided
SUNY ESF • Veronica Held — Environmental Resources Engineering
SUNY Farmingdale • Nicolette DiPalma — Industrial Organizational Psychology • Taylor Howard — Nursing • Erin Michel — Computer Engineering Technology • Jessica Nuzzi — Psychology • Konrad Rogowski — Mechanical Engineering • Erin Michel — Computer Engineering • Sean Walsh — Engineering
SUNY F redonia • Rebecca Martin — Musical Theatre
SUNY Geneseo • James Poppo — Psychology
SUNY Institute of Tech. • Dana Brangaitis — Computer and Electrical Engineering
SUNY M aritime • Brett Reilly — Naval Architecture • Terrence Zweier — Mechanical Engineering
SUNY New Paltz • Dylan Balducci — Business • Mary Stevenson — Education • Krista Tardo — Undecided • Justin Jakubowski — Undeclared
SENIOR DIRECTORY
JUN 9, 2014
SUNY Old Westbury • Jibreel Cooper — Political Science
SUNY Oneonta • Tom Barbas — Undecided • Megan Cooney — Undeclared • Alexandra Gardner — Pre-Occupational Therapy • Alexis Giarratano — Education • Rachel Heller — Sociology/Communication • Jazzi Laspragata — Secondary Education • Samantha McCool — Psychology
SUNY Oswego • Andrew Caraciolo — Business • Chris C. Duffy — Undeclared • Erin Egan — Biology • Brian Greene — Biology & Pre-Vet • Brianan Lembo — Psychology
SUNY Plattsburgh • Natalie Gramegna — Audio-Radio Production
SUNY Potsdam • Andrew Sfoglia — Computer Science
SUNY Purchase • Lauren Ophals — Undecided
SUNY Ulster • Sasha Pena — Criminal Justice
Syracuse University • Katie Vedilago — Music Education
Union College • Timothy Woods — Mechanical Engineering
Vassar College • Alex Georgalas — Economics
Wagner College • Melissa Lehfellner — Undecided
Alabama
“The John Green State”
Fairfield University
University of Tampa
• Claudia Modica — International Studies • Rachel Sieber — Biochemistry
• Gabriela Curtis — Athletic Training • Kristina Maley — Elementary Education • Samantha Simon — Undecided
Quinnipiac University • Natalie Gaeta — Marketing • Rachel Rosen — Psychology • Heather Svec — Occupational Therapy • Kristin Svec — Nursing
Sacred Heart University • Jean Cariello — Nursing • Nicole Ferreri — Physical Therapy • Kaylx Harrell — Nursing • Kristen Malenczak — Nursing • Mikaela Sherlock — Early Elementary Education • Alexa Tricario — Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Southern Connecticut State • Kim LiVecchi — Undecided
University of Connecticut • Kristen Fagan — Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
University of New Haven • Collette Kempton — Criminal Justice: Crime Analysis
Delaware “The First State”
University of Delaware • Brianna Falcone — Undecided • Emily Macklin — Speech Pathology • Emma Mazzeo — Economics
District of Columbia “Heart of the Nation”
Georgetown University
• Jack Ryan — Computer Engineering
Arizona
“Grand Canyon State”
Florida
“The Sunshine State”
• Juan Granados — Biology
University of A rizona • Alec Grumet — Management Science
Connecticut
“The Constitution State”
Eastern Connecticut State • Sarah Tricarico — Elementary Education
“The Prairie State”
University of Chicago • Meghana Rao — English Language and Literature
Indiana
“Crossroads of America”
University of Notre Dame • Molly Treble — Business
Maryland “The Old Line State”
L oyola University M aryland • Jane Anderson — Biology • Natalie Arceri — Undecided • Dana Sullivan — Speech Pathology
Salisbury University • Elizabeth Rescigno — Accounting
Towson University • KellyAnne Boylan — Exercise Science • Shannon Chalich — Undeclared • Olivia Einig — Biochemistry • Taylor Lavoro — Occupational Therapy • Alyse Mottola — Accounting • Danielle Sicignano — Deaf Studies and Occupational Therapy • Jillian Vanderneut — Biochemistry
University of M aryland • Chris R. Duffy — Government & Politics
• Thomas Sarant — Naval Architecture
Massachusetts “The Bay State”
Bentley University • Julia Averna — Actuarial Science
F lorida State University University of Central F lorida • Alexandra Cangelosi — Occupational Therapy
University of Miami • Mackenzie Buckley — Motion Pictures & Advertising
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Illinois
U.S. Naval Academy • Craig Berge — Undecided
University of A labama
THE CHIEF
Boston College • Kevin Neu — Biology • Lexie Seigies — Psychology
Boston University • Allison Nash — Behavioral Health • Chris Wood — Undecided
Endicott College • Keira McDonald — Hospitality Management
JUN 9, 2014
SENIOR DIRECTORY
The
Chief
Senior Issue Editorial Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Meghana Rao MANAGING EDITOR Nelson Gomez ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR Matt Colozzo
COPY EDITORS Katie Cresser Joe Fiola ONLINE SPORTS MANAGER Anthony Romano ADVISOR Elyn Coyle
Special thanks to Mrs. Coyle for being the greatest advisor and for her hard work to support the newspaper this year and all years prior.
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SENIOR DIRECTORY
JUN 9, 2014
Merrimack College • Joseph Pinto — Accounting
Newbury college
Ohio State University • Megan Musachio — Criminology and Criminal Justice • Jeremy Zaccaro — Computer Engineering
Pennsylvania
• Shannon Walsh — Digital Journalism
“The Independence State”
Smith College • Cameo Tietje — Undeclared
U. of M assachusetts, A mherst • Joseph Lew — Computer Science
Minnesota “The Hockey State”
U. of Minnesota, T win Cities • Katie Cresser — Sport Management
Missouri “The Show-Me State”
University of Missouri • Anthony Romano — Journalism
New Jersey “The Garden State”
Fairleigh Dickinson University • Jackie Alibrandi — Business Administration & Marketing
Seton Hall University • Rebecca Girardin — Political Science
Stevens Institute of Technology • Matt Colozzo — Computer Science • Ryan Gaunay — Computer Science • Melanie Valentin — Biomedical Engineering
North Carolina “Old North State”
High Point University • Gianna Schmidt — Elementary Education
Western Carolina University • Jillian Brown — Forensic Biology
Ohio “Birthplace of Aviation”
Case Western R eserve University • Michael Novet — Undecided
Bloomsburg University • Meghan Garofalo — Psychology
Bucknell University • Brittany Garcia — Music Education
Drexel University
THE CHIEF
Roger Williams University • Rachel Carlson — Elementary Education
Salve R egina University • Brooke Scoca — Undecided
University of R hode Island • Giovanna Codispodo — Pharmacy • Matthew Unruh — Pharmacy
Vermont
“Green Mountain State”
University of Vermont • Jake Tristano — Molecular Genetics
• Joseph Pellegrino — Computer Science
King’s College • Joseph Centrone — Physician Assistant Studies • Kevin Mazol — Undeclared
M
M arywood University
• Rob Maini — Criminal Justice
Northeastern University • JB Beck — Business • Melissa Thom — Business & Communications
Pennsylvania State University • Jeremy Dreyer — Media • Tara Forzano — Math • Michael Imbrogno — History • Alexandra Johnston — Undecided • Christopher McCarren — Engineering • Kelly McNeice — Journalism in Communications • Shannon Stellato — Environmental Systems Engineering
Temple University • Megan Byrne — Chemistry/Pre-Pharmacy
University of Pennsylvania • Sara Albert — English
Villanova University • Diana Lampasona — Environmental Science • Matthew McKeown — Finance • Kayla Snyder — Business
York College of Pennsylvania • Charlotte Wright — Mathematics
Rhode Island “Little Rhody”
Brown University • Sarah Haberlack — Health and Human Biology
Bryant University • Veronica Watkins — Communications
Virginia “The Commonwealth”
James M adison University • Sara Storti — Speech Pathology
Virginia Tech • Dom Valenti — Architecture
West Virgnia “The Mountain State”
West Virginia University • Caitlyn Sherlock — Undecided • Amy Thomas — Forensic and Investigative Science
Wisconsin “America’s Dairyland”
U. of Wisconsin, M adison • Michael Letzter — Finance
Military Service • Michael Brush — Marine Corps • Tony DiMarino — U.S. Army ROTC
“E Pluribus Unum” (“Out of many, one.”)
Congratulations to the Class of 2014 The Chief would like to thank Ms. Steigerwald for her assistance in setting up the submission form for the senior directory. The Chief wishes the best of luck to all students in whatever paths they choose.
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JUN 9, 2014
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FEATURE Avoiding the Freshman 15: staying healthy in college
JUN 9, 2014
BY KATIE CRESSER COPY EDITOR
For most high school seniors, the idea of college calls to mind a litany of anxieties: an increased workload, making new friends, finding a roommate, getting enough sleep, and trying to avoid the “freshman fifteen.” While most of these things are out of your control, your health is not. Plus, avoiding some extra
pounds is actually a lot easier than pulling an all-nighter or cramming for a final. The first step to a healthier lifestyle is to think about your diet. No one’s saying you can never have carbs again or that all you can eat is mangos. It’s much easier, and more enjoyable, to change your lifestyle rather than make yourself miserable by following some fad diet. Here are some tips guar-
anteed to chase the fat away:
lot less fattening than whole.
Read (and obey) the serving size. It’s okay to eat a bagel, but don’t eat five. Even so-called “healthy foods,” such as peanut butter or granola, can be extremely fattening when eaten in large quantities.
It’s okay to cheat. Everyone needs an ice cream sundae or chili cheese fries every once in a while, but don’t let one snack every so often turn into a never-ending buffet of candy and sugar. Stay on track.
Find alternatives. Whole wheat bread is much better than white, and skim milk is a
Exercise however you can. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Go on a jog. Walk
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instead of taking the bus. Most colleges have fitness centers and classes available at little or no cost. Take advantage of them. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should focus on health over appearance or numbers. If you eat and live healthily, the number on the scale really doesn’t really matter.
Senior Promposals
Dan Minogue had Megan Musachio complete a scavenger hunt that had her driving around town until she found him at the beach with the final clue.
Kevin Burke similarly sent Charlotte Wright on a scavenger hunt and an incredible sight waiting for her Jamie McKessy had a sweet surprise when she went to when she found him! a baseball game with Brian Hayes, a senior at Chaminade.
The Chief hopes that the Class of 2014 has a wonderful and safe time at senior prom! When Brian Nichtern made it to the final round Knowing that the Massapequa Perk is Meghaof Mr. Massapequa, he took the opportunity to ask na Rao’s favorite coffee shop, Chris Duffy had a Jamie Ahrens to prom. nice surprise waiting for her one morning.